as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
she is quite proficient at computer repair a proficient rendition of a difficult piano piece
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
an urgent call by the state department for proficients in Arabic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proficient
Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Kids who aren’t proficient by third grade are four times more likely to drop out later, the report said.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Hispanic kids were likewise lagging the state average, 37% proficient in English and 30% in mathematics.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Adjective
Atlas isn't proficient at performing most of the routine tasks that people do in their daily lives, like putting on clothes or pouring a cup of coffee.
—Bill Whitaker, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Kids who aren’t proficient by third grade are four times more likely to drop out later, the report said.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 4 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Ganado Unified School District saw a 159 percent increase in students who tested proficient.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Hispanic kids were likewise lagging the state average, 37% proficient in English and 30% in mathematics.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficient
Adjective
-
The skilled direction of performance from the cast.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Jan. 2026
-
In the rest of the territory, companies or nations attempting to mine would have to build their own energy grid and transport networks, given the interior’s lack of either, as well as import an entire skilled labor force.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The expert is also a proponent of boosting fiber intake, noting that the daily goal for adults is between 25 and 35 grams per day.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Officials in Minnesota, along with criminal justice experts and former federal prosecutors, are increasingly critical of the federal response to the aggressive tactics being used by immigration officers in Minneapolis and the surrounding area.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
So our agents are very adept at dealing with this.—
Esme Murphy,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
But therein lies the challenge for Paramount and reflects Netflix’s adept strategic maneuvering.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dell is her stream's dungeon master, banishing those who don't abide by her terms and steadily rising up the platform's ranks with her sympathetic story and angry-funny screen presence.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Dogs kept some of their hierarchical instincts, replacing alpha wolves with their human masters.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rosenberg is careful to note that this doesn’t require abandoning values or discernment, but recognizing that beneath every expression — skillful, clumsy, or even hurtful — is an unmet need.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Legal scholars say this framing is intentional.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Take Habermas, whose defense of Israeli ethnic cleansing was protested immediately by such eminent scholars as Adam Tooze and Amia Srinivasan.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Namely, a mix of the aforementioned youngsters from all parts of the world, combined with group of experienced campaigners to guide them, because players proven at the top level in their mid to late twenties are not generally within Brighton’s spending capacity.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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There’s an equestrian centre for experienced riders and beginners alike, and the option to do the most touristy of all activities, camel riding in the dunes.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Suffused with dread and bathed in reverb, the record captures two virtuosos at their most vulnerable.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And the first half was a virtuoso blend of aggressiveness and controlling tempo from Payton, as Nix had a couple of deep shots to Marvin Mims and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but also controlled the game with his legs.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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